Garage prices

Hope I'm posting this in the right place (still getting head around
this forum malarky).

Anyhoo, I took my new-to-me bike to a local mechanic that was recommended on some site or other (not this one) and stupidly
informed the mechanic that the bike was new to me and I just wanted it
checked over - there was the odd knocking here and there and I was
pretty certain that a typewriter-esque sound I was hearing wasn't
normal. It's done 15K

They took the bike in and about 2 hours later, called to inform me that my valves needed re- shimming and quoted a price of £350 as the job entailed some 6-7 hours worth of work. Now I knew that this was an expensive job and I've read up about it on here about valves etc so I thought "fair enough" (I also read that SVs rarely need their valves doing at 15K).

Fortunately, the work couldn't be done immediately, so I collected bike, to be returned at a later date. On getting my stuff together to leave, the mechanic decided to explain to me how they knew the bike needed its shims doing: "... there was a tickety-tick sound coming from the front of the engine."

Now I'm sure, I've read on here that that sound is associated with the cam chain tensioners and that it's a simple enough process to sort. Anyway, I was advised that no-one else would have shims in-house so the fastest option was to return for my later appointment (in a couple of days time).

Cool.

I called a local dealership instead and asked them for a quote to 'shim my
valves' (wasn't sure of the correct terminology). They quoted £100-120
for 2 hours work (???) I thought replacing/updating/changing the shims was a 4 hour job??

Anyway decided to get the work done at the dealership (came in at £117) and the receipt states that they 'adjusted the valves front and rear'.

So my question is: do you guys think this the same as doing the shims? or did I just pay to have them checked?

I know I should've asked, but I was so delighted to have saved £200 I practically skipped out of the shop!!

Your thoughts would be appreciated

p.s. how do you find a reputable motorbike mechanic? with my car, it's a simple enough exercise to ask round, but as the only rider I know in my area, I really haven't a clue where/how to look.

What year is the bike?

[timwilky]

there is only one way to know if the valves need shimming, lift the covers and insert feeler gauge. about 1/2 an hours labour. That is part of the 15k service.

Depending upon what is found, they could then charge for a couple of hours labour to change the shims.

it's a 2001

So it's sounding like the £117 was the right price and my local just did himself out of a customer. Shame really as I like the idea of an 'independent' garage ... but not to the tune of £200+

[andrewsmith]

Most SV's make the ticking sound on the front cylinder (the tensioner isn't constantly in oil).
A full major service at a Suzuki main dealer is £350 then shims are extra and about an extra hour (so say £50 + plus shims).

Where I'm getting the major done at cannot remember ever needing to shim a SV650 motor of any mileage.

Also mechanics wise SpannerMan on here (Stewarts Motorcycles) is one of the best out there!

Aah! So maybe my local thought I wanted a full service hence the £350 (+ shims), whilst the dealership only dealt with the CCTs and valve check.

Owning a motorcycle is so much more engaging than a car

[Spanner Man]

Good morning all.


About 40% of the SV's I do need some valves shimmed at 15k. On curvy models the cam chain tensioners are pretty poor, invariably the front cylinder one starts playing up first. Your best bet is to replace them with the K3 tensioners.

2 hours labour is about right for shimming an SV. If the invoice you received states that the valves were adjusted then this constitutes shimming the valves.
Mind you, I see a lot of bikes that have supposedly had the valves inspected/adjusted, & it's obvious to me that the camshaft covers have never been removed.

I was interested to note the comment about not having shims in stock. For a workshop that's pretty pi55 poor in my opinion.


Cheers.

Thanks for that Spanner Man, very reassuring.

On a possibly, though not definitely, related note: when I dropped the bike off, I also asked to have the chain checked (e.g. tensioned, alignment etc) - I have every intention of learning how to do this sort of stuff myself, but figure it'd be a good idea to get a sense of how the bike is supposed to ride/feel as a sort of benchmark. Anyhow, I've been riding to work and back since and the slapping feel I get at the front of the bike is still there. I'd thought that by having the valves adjusted (and the associated removing and refitting of the CCTs) would have resolved the issue, and if that wasn't the cause, then having the drivechain re-tensioned/aligned would do the job. But neither appears to have worked.

I tend to feel a slapping/knocking through the footpegs whilst decelerating (and it can be alleviated by pulling in the clutch). I was pretty confident that it would be an issue with the drivechain, but now I'm not too sure.

AND (as if that wasn't enough) I sometimes feel I have to fight the bike to make a corner, like the bike actively does not want to turn and wants to run straight.

Could these two issues be related? Actually, is there anyway the slapping/knocking feeling, transmitted through my footpegs has nothing to do with either drivechain or cam chain, and rather the forks, suspension, tyres?

Think I'm beginning to ovethink and ask too many questions. Any pointers would be appreciated
Any thoughts?

[Spanner Man]

Good morning all.


It sounds like you could have an issue with the chain. A worn chain & sprockets will produce several 'rough' sensations, even if the tension is correct.

Your handling issue could be down to worn steering bearings, or wheel bearings.

Whereabouts in the 'Smoke' are you? You're more than welcome to bring your bike in for a quick 'health check'. It takes about 10 minutes. With free tea/coffee, & bad taste humour.


Cheers.

That sounds like an excellent idea.

I'm based in the South East, Crystal Palace actually, but would be more than happy to travel - would give me a reason to do more than my normal commute.

Will message you